Chennai: Orders for the formation of Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF), a dedicated force with a strength of 1,000 police personnel will soon be issued, revenue minister R.B. Udayakumar told reporters after a review meeting held here as part of the monsoon preparedness. To tackle the northeast monsoon Rs 14.59 crore will be allotted for the purchase of equipment and Rs 0.41 crore for capacity building under State Disaster Response Fund.
Around 200 volunteers from Chennai are expected to be trained at Tamil Nadu Fire Services Training Institute at Tambaram. As per the report, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between NDMA and SDMA for the implementation, the minister said. Rs 81.98 lakhs has been sanctioned for the procurement of new very high frequency sets, both base (65) mobile (75) apart from annual maintenance contract for the existing sets, base (387) and mobile (403) in the coastal and non-coastal districts from the State Disaster Response Fund, he added.
According to the revenue department sources, relief centres are getting ready in all districts. Ten centres in Coimbatore, 94 in Chennai, 392 in Kancheepuram, 38 in Madurai, 178 in Tiruvallur, 122 in Tirunelveli and 96 in Vellore have been identified and if required more centres will be opened.
Swimming, first aid, VDRMP, mock drill, street play shelter management and other training were provided for 2,77,530 persons in four batches as part of the community training. To ensure normalcy of life is not disrupted the department had given instructions to oil companies, mobile operators, educational institutions and hospitals on the basic arrangements that have to be in place during heavy rains.
Relief centres
Coimbatore- 10
Chennai- 94
Kancheepuram- 392
Madurai- 38
Tiruvallur- 178
Tirunelveli- 122
Vellore- 96
